Homing in on Hollywood

Homing in on Hollywood - The West Australian

It was just six months ago that Perth-born model Benjamin Hall was signed by local agency Chadwick's Perth - but now the 26-year-old is set to take Hollywood by storm.

After a short stint in the local modelling scene, which saw him walk the runway for the Perth Fashion Festival, Hall relocated to Los Angeles just six weeks ago after being signed by prestigious LA agency Hollywood Model Management.

Though acting wasn't initially on the cards, Hall, left, told Access All Areas that the passion was sparked after undertaking one of Australian actor Renato Fabretti's acting courses.

"I would definitely say modelling kickstarted my acting career," Hall said. "Acting was not even considered until Chadwick's suggested I take Renato Fabretti's Acting for Camera course to improve my on-camera experience . . . this is how the journey all started."

And his decision to take on Tinseltown's notorious film and TV industry has already paid off.

Just a month after making the big move abroad, the former Trinity College student has had several offers and has also secured two notable roles - one for an upcoming National Geographic documentary and another in a feature film called Cycles.

Though born in Perth - he hails from Dalkeith - Hall has been on the move from a young age.

"I spent many years growing up in countries such as Vietnam, Philippines and Ireland, which gave great life experiences as a child," he said.

A latecomer to the modelling scene, Hall said that, prior to signing with Chadwick's, he spent several years in the subsea oil business which saw him travel to Malaysia and Norway.

But he soon realised that his true calling was to be in front of the camera.

"I gave up that career and moved back to Perth," he said.

"Though if you had asked me as early as a year ago (if) I would be living in Hollywood, Los Angeles, as a signed actor and model, being approached for films, I would have laughed."

While Hall hoped to continue modelling, he was focusing on building his acting portfolio.

"Being in LA, I have been investing more time into my acting," he said.

"I love modelling as much as acting so ideally I would like a long career in both."